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Page 245
Ian's shoulder, her whole body pressed against the length of his. Both were exceedingly well pleased with themselves and with each other, but Alinor's satisfaction was somewhat the keener. For that, although she did not think of it, she had to thank Simon also. Among other bitternesses of loss Alinor suffered, not the least was the loss of the comfort of a warm, strong body beside her in her bed. That emptiness was now filled.
"It was a near thing," Ian sighed, grinning, "and I will give credit where it is due. You delayed me not at all in the performance of my promise." He sighed again, contentedly. Then the arm around her stiffened a trifle. ''We left the bed curtains open," he said in a low voice.
"What of it?" Alinor asked sleepily. "The children will not come in at this hour."
Ian's lips, parted for speaking, remained parted merely to smile. True enough. It did not matter. This was his bed, his wife, his right. There was no need to hide his desire or his satisfaction from anyone. His! Completely and entirely his! Not to be shared with a legal husband as so many "loves" of the past; all her beauty, all her passionhis. Ian drew a deep breath of happiness and gratitude, for what Alinor displayed was truly a clean passion, not lust. The enormity of her pleasure, the ecstatic cries and writhings were an additional joy to him and no sign of weakness in her. Knowing what pleasure she denied herself, yet she had been able to deny herself. The memory of Alinor's pleasure sent a flush of heat through Ian's loins. His arm tightened around her; his hand sought her breast. Quite unaware of the towering virtues with which she had been endowedwhich would have given her great amusement had she knownAlinor made a sleepy, contented sound. Ian bent his head to kiss her, but found only her cheek. Satisfied and half asleep, Alinor had slipped back into the familiar role of long-time wife.
"Have you cried 'enough'?" Ian whispered.
The voice, rich and pleasant, but very different from

 
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